Public Policy: State
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Jewish United Fund provides real relief — whether it be in the form of health care, human services, or education — to more than 500,000 people of all ages, abilities, and faiths each year. This is thanks to our 70+ affiliated agencies, direct relationships with Chicago’s Jewish Community, and partnership with elected officials and the State of Illinois. Our policy agenda promotes collaborative efforts to build healthy and well-supported communities throughout Illinois.
- Ensuring Access To Health Care
Recognizing that quality health care is an essential foundation for a meaningful and productive life, JUF affiliates provide inpatient and outpatient health care, mental health care, assisted living, rehabilitation, respite, personal are, and other services to people of all ages and incomes. We advocate for policies that support affordable and comprehensive high-quality health services and coverage for all Illinoisans, including telehealth payment and coverage parity. Moreover, due to the continuing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, JUF supports and assists ith enhanced staffing, trauma counseling, mental health and group support, and emergency food and financial assistance for Sinai Chicago, JCFS Chicago, and CJE SeniorLife, as well as other partner agencies serving children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
- Integrating People With Disabilities In Community Life
JUF affiliates expand opportunities for people with disabilities to fully engage in community life by providing educational and residential living supports, housing, job training, synagogue participation, and community-based pportunities and care. We oppose institutionalization and promote policies that support independence, and promote community inclusion for adults and youth with disabilities. JUF advocates for full implementation of the Guidehouse Rate Study recommendations, including rate increases for the provider community.
- Ensuring Older Adults Can Live Healthy Lives Safely In Settings Of Their Choice
Our network provides a range of care including transportation, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, adult day care, respite for family caregivers, legal assistance, benefits counseling, home-delivered meals, Holocaust survivor services, inhome are management, and housing options ranging from independent apartments to assisted living to rehabilitation care. Utilizing lessons learned from innovative programs, we advocate for community care programs that meet the needs of a rapidly growing population of older adults of all incomes. We support statewide adoption of ACE, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
- Educating And Caring For Children And Youth Including Those With Special Needs
JUF affiliates provide a robust range of early childhood development, education, after-school care, recreation, and camps for all. For those with developmental, emotional, or behavioral health needs, or those ho have encountered neglect, abuse, and violence, JUF affiliates step in with additional programs like counseling, family respite, residential care, K–12 therapeutic day schools, integrated therapies, Early Intervention services, and specially designed camps and day programs. We advocate for government investments and sound policies in ducation (both private and public) and special education, Early Intervention, child welfare, child care, SNAP, WIC, and many other programs for children and youth, as well as workforce investments.
- Helping Those Confronted By Mental Health And Substance Use Issues Transform Their Lives
JUF affiliates provide inpatient crisis care, education, counseling, and referrals for people with mental health and substance use issues. Building the infrastructure of government-funded programs for people with mental health and substance use challenges is a priority shared by all our affiliates. At the same time, because we recognize that government programs target the most economically vulnerable, we also promote behavioral health (and physical health) parity in the commercial insurance market.
- Safeguarding The Jewish Community And Other Communities, And Strengthening The Relationship Between Illinois And Israel
Creating an environment that is safe and nurturing for everyone is essential to individual and community well-being. We address significant contributors to unsafe environments such as antisemitism, racism, and all other forms of igotry and hate. Our advocacy includes support for human rights, voting access, gun violence prevention, and anti-hate crime legislation. We advocate for strengthening and continued funding for the Illinois Nonprofit Security Grant Program. We support efforts that emphasize building equity for disenfranchised communities. JUF lso supports the work of the Illinois Investment Policy Board to ensure implementation of the Illinois anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) law. We additionally work at all levels of government to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship. JUF supports further enhancing the deep academic, business, investment, and cultural onnections between Illinois and Israel.
- Promoting Charitable Giving Incentives And Nonprofit Governance
Thriving communities depend on a robust and well-supported health care and human services infrastructure provided primarily by nonprofit institutions. We advocate for the best ways to promote charitable giving, including tax credits, as well as regulating and supporting nonprofit institutions.
- Welcoming Immigrants And Refugees
With a long and proud history of providing health care and social services to immigrants and refugees, we support governmental policies that give immigrants access to services and help refugees resettle and integrate into life n the United States. We also support bipartisan immigration policies, which are humane and uphold our values as a nation of immigrants.
